Football amusement device



Aug. 2, 1938. W. J, LoNGsTRL-:ET

FOOTBALL AMUSEMENT DEVICE I Filed June 22, 1936 $44322 2.22.22 3s: :QQQQQ: 4..

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ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 2, 1938 UNITED STATES `PATENT OFFICE A 2,125,679 FOTBALL AMUSEMENT DEVIGE Willard J. Longstreet, Bayonne,A N. J.

` Application June 22,

l4. claims.

The present invention relates to an amusement device and is especially designed for ,use in amusement parks and other places of amusement.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an amusement device simulating in some respects the -game of football, the purpose being to displace a football by kicking between goal posts or uprights and into a target in the form of a receptacle that is associated with the goal post crossbar.

A further object of the invention resides in the means for returning the football to the player which means consists `of a background of netting or the like suitably supported and terminating on the playing field.

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying *drawing* which forms part lof the application.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the new and improved amusement device.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View illustrating means for associating the target or receptacle with the goal post.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the goal post and its associated target or receptacle.

Fig. 4 is a planned view of one form of tee to be used for supporting a football, and

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed description thereof the playing field or surface is indicated by the numeral 8 and may be of any desired dimension. It is `herein desired to point out that the game may be played on an indoor court or an outdoor playing eld, and in either instance the area of the playing eld will be suitably marked.

A pair of spaced upright standards v9 are provided `at'one end of the playing field and support therebetween a transverse bar I0 presenting a structure similar to the goal post provided in the playing of the game of football. The uprights 9 may be supported in any desired manner depending upon their use on an indoor court or an outdoor playing field. A receptacle II for receiving the propelled football is positioned between the standards 9 and is closely associated with the transverse bar I0, and preferably has its lowermost edge in contact therewith as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The receptacle I I may be of any desired size and material but is preferably formed with an enlarged substantially 1936, Serial No. 86,655

(orma- 55) rectangular opening I2 terminating in a restricted opening I3. The outer portion I4 is elbow-Shaped and is provided with a discharge opening I5. thru which the football is returned to the playing ield. For additionally supporting the receptacle Il braces I6 are attached to and eX- tend from each standard 9 and are secured to the elbow I4 as shown at I'I, it being understood however, that other means may be provided for supporting the receptacle. Means, not shown, are also provided for retaining the edge of the receptacle II in contact with the transverse bar IIJ.

For retarding the iiight of the propelled football and also for returning the same to the player, a netting I8 is provided which netting is attached to supports I9 positioned in the rear of the upright standards 9, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The netting I8 preferably extends down-` ward a distance on the support I9 and then projects therefrom at an angle onto the playingeld, and the free ends fastened to the playing eld as indicated at 20. It is also preferable that the angulation of the netting I8 be so arranged as to extend inrclose proximity to the discharge end I5 of the receptacle I I so that the football being discharged from said receptacle will fall upon the netting and roll forward to the playing eld. The netting is also arranged so that should the player kick the ball on either side of the standards 9 or above or below the bar Il] without entering the receptacle I I its flight will be retarded and due to the angulaton of the netting, will be returned to the player.

Various means may be provided for supporting the football 2| while kicking, one means being a tee 22 of the character illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing. It will be noted that the tee 22 has a flat surface for positioning on the playing field and an inclined surface which terminates in y a groove 23 which groove is so constructed as to support the football 2I in a manner best suitable for kicking purposes. One or more of the tees 22 may be provided as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. v

As `previously setl forth the herein described amusement device may be installed in an amusement park or any place of amusement and is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. The game may also be utilized to test and increase the skill of football players and when used for this purpose is amusing as well as requiring a degree of skill. The Yfootball 2I is first positioned on the tee 22 and said tee is placed at a suitable distance in front of the standard 9 and its receiving receptacle II. `The football is then I... il...

kicked by the player in an endeavor to propel the same over the crossbar I0 and into the receptacle II for discharge thru the opening I5; The provision of the restricted opening I3 tapering from the enlarged opening I2 lends to the skill of the game ysince the player must, of necessity, deposit the ball in close proximity to the opening I3 for it to be received and pass into the elbow I4 to be discharged thru the opening I5. Should the ball contact the slanting walls or edge of the receptacle II it will rebound on to the netting thereby adding to the amusement and skill of the device.

It is to be understood that this improvement is capable of extended application and is not conf fined to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as` expressed in the appended claims. Y

What is claimed as new is: 1. A game `device comprising a playing eld for receiving a plurality of missiles to be projected therefrom, a target in the form of a football goal and including a pair of spaced standards having a cross-bar therebetween, a wide open-faced receptacle positioned between said standards and resting on said cross-bar, said receptacle having a restricted opening for receiving missiles from the playing eld, and a netting forming a backstopI for said missiles, said netting being inclined upwardly from said playing i'leld from a line in front of and below said target to extend rearwardly and upwardly back of same in order to direct and return said missiles to the player. 2. A game device comprising a playing eld for receiving a plurality of missiles to be projected therefrom, a target in the form of a football goal and including a pair of spaced standards having a cross-bar therebetween, an openfaced, wide angled receptacle positioned between said standards and resting on said cross-bar, said receptacle being tapered rearwardly to form a restricted passage for a missile projected from said playing eld, and means adjacent said passage for receiving said missile and returning the same to the player.

3.,. .A game vdevice comprising aY playing eld for receiving a plurality of: missiles to be projected therefrom, a target in the form of a foot- .ball goal and including a pair of spaced standards having a cross-bar therebetween, a receptacle positioned between said standards and havn ing one edge only resting on said cross-bar, said receptacle being substantially rectangular shaped at one end thereof and the other end formed with a restricted passage for a mis'sile projectedfrom said playing field, and a netting forming a backstop for said missiles, said netting extending from a line in front of said target to a point in back of the same in order to direct and return said missiles to the player.

4. A game device comprising a playing field for receiving a plurality of missiles to be projected therefrom, a target in the form of a football goal and including a pair of spaced standards having a cross-bar therebetween, a substantially rectangularly shaped member positioned between said standards and associated with said cross-bar and having an opening therein for receiving missiles from the playing eld, and a netting forming a backstop for said missiles, said netting being inclined upwardly from said .playing Iield from a line in front of and below said target to extend rearwardly and upwardly back of same in order to direct and return said missiles to the player.

WILLARD J. LONGS-TREET. 

